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Classified Material: Handle With Care

Re the improper handling of sensitive national intelligence information by John Deutch, the former director of central intelligence (news articles, Feb. 1-4): As a former senior counterintelligence officer, I can attest that Central Intelligence Agency employees involved in far less severe cases of improper handling of classified material met with far more severe punishment than Mr. Deutch. Furthermore, Mr. Deutch admitted using C.I.A.-owned computers for his own use, and allowed family members to do the same. This is in direct violation of various C.I.A. and government rules and regulations.

C.I.A. employees know never to use government equipment for personal use. During my 15-year career the agency installed a high-security safe in my house. I never used it to store personal items; these were secured in my own safe. It never occurred to me to do otherwise.

PETER LIFTON

Lexington, Mass., Feb. 4, 2000

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A version of this letter appears in print on February 7, 2000, on Page A00018 of the National edition with the headline: Classified Material: Handle With Care. Today's Paper|Subscribe